Icons on your phone

The icons at the top of your screen tell you a lot about your Windows phone—including info about network connectivity, signal strength, battery power, the time, and much more. Here are the icons you’ll see most often.

Cellular signal strength

Shows your cellular signal strength.

No signal because your phone isn't connected to a cellular network.

Your phone is in airplane mode. All wireless communications are turned off.

Depending on the data plan you have through your mobile operator, you may be charged extra for data you use or calls you make when roaming. Also, the roaming icons that can appear vary by mobile operator.

Wi‑Fi connection

Your phone is connected to a Wi‑Fi network with the signal strength that's shown. To learn how to connect to a Wi‑Fi network, check out Connect to Wi‑Fi.

Indicates which connection is being used to transfer data. It can appear next to the cellular signal icon or Wi‑Fi icon.

Your phone is connected to a Wi‑Fi network, and you're set up for Wi‑Fi calling. To find Wi‑Fi calling settings, go to Settings > Network & wireless > Cellular & SIM > SIM settings > Calling preference under Wi‑Fi calling. When you see the Wi‑Fi calling icon at the top of your screen along with the words Wi‑Fi Calling on the Phone tile or in the Phone app itself, you can make and receive phone calls over Wi‑Fi. Wi‑Fi calling depends on your mobile operator and phone model.

Bluetooth

Look… no wires. The Bluetooth icon appears when your phone is connected to a Bluetooth device. You're ready to talk on your phone hands‑free, listen to music, and much more. For info about getting connected with Bluetooth, see Connect to Bluetooth devices.

Notifications

The action center icon appears when you have new notifications. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open action center and see your notifications. For more info, see Find your notifications.

Driving mode

Reduce distractions when you're on the road. The Driving mode icon appears when driving mode is turned on. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, then select Settings > System > Driving mode to change the settings for it if you want.

Ringer

Ringer is off, and vibrate is on.

Ringer is off, and vibrate is off.

Location

The Location icon appears when an app is accessing your phone's current location information.

Battery

Wondering how much battery you have left? Wonder no more.

Battery is charging.

Phone is plugged in and battery is fully charged.

Shows how much battery power you have left. To see the percentage left, swipe down from the top of your screen, and look under the icon.

Battery saver is on. The amount of the battery icon that's filled tells you how much power you have left.

Virtual private networking (VPN)

This icon

appears when you're connected to a VPN over Wi-Fi, and this one

shows when you're connected over cellular data.

Clock

The clock displays the current time. On Start , swipe over to the All apps list, then select Settings > Time & language > Date & time to change the date and time.